$1.1 Million Houston Night Brings Plenty of Masked Drama — and Dance House Fitness Dolls

It was quite the tableau of French-inspired opulence that greeted guests at the Alley Theatre Ball, themed “La Grande Mascarade: Au Palais Royal.” And grand it was with a masked entourage of more than 500 revelers, dancers elaborately costumed as members of a royal court and installations of massive florals of which any Versailles royal would have approved, all adding an appropriately theatrical grandiosity to the Post Oak Hotel ballroom.

The stunning mise en scène was a first for Rob Melrose, who took over as Alley artistic director only in November. His introduction to the playful side of Alley supporters was blessed with a $1.1 million windfall on this evening.

Heide and Douglas Shanda chaired the fundraiser that honored The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts for its widespread support of of arts organizations across the community and in particular the Alley Theatre. The relationship between the two dates back to the 1980s and the trust was the first to contribute a major gift to the Alley for Hurricane Harvey recovery. Alley board president Butch Mach joined Alley managing director Dean Gladden in recognizing the trust’s many generous contributions.

The dinner and program were interspersed with the Dance House Fitness Dolls (those in costumes posing for selfies throughout the reception) presentation of two renditions of the minuet, the second of which broke out into a surprise hip-hop number. Applause, applause for the clever entertainment.

Of course, the masked revelers provided their own form of entertainment, none more impressive than Susana Brener de Stern and Dr. Juan Stern, she is a dazzling mask and he in a caped disguise. Melrose did his part in velvet cape and Venetian masquerade, while the Alley’s James Black was particularly frightening in his full head mask.

Once dinner concluded and the live auction had delivered a handsome sum to Alley coffers, the party switched into high gear with the rocking sounds of Queen City.

PC Seen: Cornelia and Meredith Long, Sarahbeth and Pierce Bush, Linda and Willie Chiang, Carmen Match, Jane Gladden, Margaret Alkek Williams, Carroll Robertson Ray, Rose and Robbie Nelson, Beth Robertson, Helen and Jim Shaffer, Kathryn Ketelsen, Valerie Jalufka, Lorie and Scott Wulfe, Glenn and Tracey Vongolen, and Mady and Ken Kades.